2. amps-preamps
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Suggestions for a tube preamp

I am looking for a tube preamp that will work well with my system:

Clayton S 40 ampliflier
Rick Reimer Wind River GS speakers (on order)
Heavily modified Pioneer DVD player

I do not need phono and do not want to spend more than $1000.00 used.

Here are some preamps I have looked at:

AR LS 7, LS2, LS1
Blue Circle BC 21
Sonic Frontiers Line 1
MFA MAGUS
Audible Illusions L1 or Mod 3
CJ PV 10
Counterpoint 2000, 3000

Any and all suggestions will be appreciated!
hiflyer

Showing 1 response by pcs

pcs
109 posts
 
Hiflyer,

I have had two of the preamps on your list, the Audio Research LS1 and the Conrad Johnson PV10a. I did not care for the ARC LS1 at all, very sterile sounding. I have not owned but also heard the ARC LS7 and did not care for it either. I guess I don't like the ARC sound. I love my CJ. Probably not neutral but very musical with a great phono stage. It is currently for sale if you are interested as I am going with a Musical Fidelity to match my power amp and get a remote. See my ad if you are interested. Would be well under your budget and fairly easy to resell if you decide it is not for you. I also owned a Counterpoint tube pre although older and lower in the line than the ones you mentioned. Mine was very noisy and not reliable. For the money I think you could do better with a company still in business.

I have not heard the ARC LS 2 or 3, but they got good reviews. There are also a number of very respected Agon members that swear by Blue Circle and Rogue. Both would probably be good choices. Tube pre amps can very in sound quite a bit. Auditioning is always recommended if you can.

Regards,
Paul
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